Charred Corn and Avacado Salad

By dlpedersen

I use a really hot skillet to char my corn. This way it chars fast, but still crispy. Let the charred veggies cool beofre adding other ingredients. I like the avacado and tomato to stay cool. Very fresh tasting salad. Goes well over my southwest shrimp and grits!

Ingredients

• 5 ears of corn
• 1 poblano pepper, cut into small dice
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• olive oil
• kosher salt + freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large or 2 small avocado, cut into small dice
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
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• 2 T lime juice, plus lime wedges serving
• 1/2 tsp honey
• 1/8 tsp cayenne
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• handful of fresh cilantro leaves, roughly torn

Preparation

Step 1

1.Preheat your broiler to medium-high and place your oven rack about 4" to 6" from your heating element.

2.Shuck your corn and remove the silks. Cut the kernels from the cob using your favorite technique and set them aside in a bowl. Add the diced poblano and sliced red onion. Toss with a teaspoon or two of olive oil to evenly coat, and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a sheet pan (you can line with foil for easy cleanup) or large skillet and spread out in an even layer. (Use something that's nice and sturdy -- flimsy pans may warp or buckle under the heating element.)

3.Broil the corn, poblano and red onion for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking the pan a few times, or until charred in spots. You're looking for some noticeable char, but be mindful to not overcook. Remove the pan, add the avocado, and broil for a minute or two longer. (If you don't like your avocado warmed, just skip this step and add it at the end.) In the process of broiling, you may hear or see a few corn kernels starting to jump around on the hot pan -- a good indication that they’re done. Remove sheet pan from oven.

4.To make lime vinaigrette: whisk together lime juice, honey, and cayenne, and then slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil, whisking until emulsified. Season to taste.

5.Transfer contents to a serving bowl, add cherry tomatoes and cilantro leaves.

Drizzle in the lime vinaigrette, a few teaspoons at a time. You may not need the full amount. Toss and taste for seasoning. Serve with lime wedges.